Syllabus

Geology (Physical Setting)

How do we as scientist gather and interpret evidence that the Earth is continually changing?

    • Understand and explain the position, function, and composition of the layers of the Earth

    • Explain the rock cycle

    • Use different techniques to identify and classify rocks

    • Know the properties and density of minerals

    • Know how fossils are made, where they are found, and the importance of the fossil record

    • Explain the dating of rocks including the absolute and relative age

    • Understand and explain the theory of plate movements and give evidence supporting that theory

    • Understand and explain convection currents, buoyancy, and sea floor splitting

    • Know and explain what causes and earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains

    • Understand and explain the topography of the Earth's surface

Interactions Between Matter & Energy (Physical Setting)

How do the properties and interactions of matter and energy explain physical and chemical change?

    • Understand and explain electromagnetic energy

    • Understand and explain wave behavior: light reflection and refraction and vibration and sound waves

    • Understand the properties of materials such as: density, conductivity, magnetic materials, and solubility

    • Understand and explain the difference between elements, compounds, atoms, and molecules

    • Understand the Periodic Table and how it's elements are organized

    • Understand and explain the characteristics of physical and chemical changes

    • Explain phase changes, states of matter, mixture and solutions, and temperature and its effect on solubility

    • Understand the Law of Conservation of Mass and Energy

    • Explain energy changes in chemical reactions

    • Understand and explain how interaction among atoms and/or molecules result in chemical reactions

Dynamic Equilibrium: The Human Animal (Living Environment)

How do human body systems function to maintain homeostasis?

    • Understand the structure and function of cells

    • Understand tissues, organs, systems, and organisms

    • Understanding the human body: maintaining homeostasis, and the body systems (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, skeletal, and muscular)

    • Know how to obtain energy and nutrients and regulate the internal environment

    • Understand metabolism

    • Understand how to respond to the external environment (nervous system)

Dynamic Equilibrium: Other Organisms (Living Environment)

How is homeostasis maintained in other organisms?

    • Understand and explain animal structures and systems

    • Understand and explain how animals maintain homeostasis and how they obtain energy and nutrients

    • Understand and explain how animals regulate their internal environment, respond to the external environment, and their metabolism

    • Understand and explain plant structures

    • Understand how plants maintain homeostasis and how they obtain energy and nutrients

    • Understand and explain how plants regulate their internal environment, respond to the external environment, and their metabolism

    • Understand and explain unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms

    • Understand how unicellular and multicellular organisms maintain homeostasis and how they obtain energy and nutrients

    • Understand and explain how unicellular and multicellular organisms regulate their internal environment, respond to the external environment, and their metabolism